Out since Feb. 20 with a knee injury, Bruins center David Krejci could be back in the lineup as soon as this weekend, according to coach Claude Julien.
Krejci has yet to take contact, so there are still hurdles to clear. The 28-year-old had 26 points in 38 games before he suffered a partially torn MCL in his left knee against the Blues.
The Bruins play the Panthers in Sunrise Saturday and are in Tampa Bay Sunday for a game against the Lightning. After that, they get three days off before hosting Anaheim Thursday.
Boston has gone an impressive 8-2-1 in the 11 games Krejci has missed with his latest injury, perhaps reducing the temptation to rush him back into action.
Krejci: "I don't really have a timeline, I just take it day by day and whenever it feels 100 percent, I'll be back"
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 17, 2015